# dumbtv, a script that strips ads and tracking from a TV

A set of ADB scripts and a small launcher that remove ads, telemetry and unwanted apps from a Fire OS television, with every change reversible. It runs from another machine and needs no root.

- Category: Code (tool)
- Device: [Fire TV Edition television](https://afterware.xyz/d/fire-tv-edition-television)
- Made by: [Muzzammil](https://x.com/DevMuzzammil) on GitHub
- Original: https://github.com/humblemuzzu/dumbtv
- On Afterware: https://afterware.xyz/p/dumbtv-a-script-that-strips-ads-and-tracking-from-a-tv

## Can I build this?

- Difficulty: Beginner
- AI-buildability: 5/5 (It is entirely shell scripts and a small Android launcher run over ADB on a TV you already own, so AI can write nearly all of it, and you only need to enable developer options and test on the device.)
- Time: A weekend
- Cost: $0
- Parts: Fire TV Edition television
- Tools: ADB (Android Debug Bridge), computer on the same network

Estimates based on the original write-up. How the AI-buildability score works: https://afterware.xyz/ai-buildability

## Build sheet

- Device: Fire TV Edition TV
- OS tested: Fire OS 7.7.1.7
- Method: ADB over network
- Root: Not required

## Starter prompt

```
Based on "dumbtv, a script that strips ads and tracking from a TV" on Afterware: https://afterware.xyz/p/dumbtv-a-script-that-strips-ads-and-tracking-from-a-tv

I have a Fire TV Edition TV with developer mode enabled and ADB reachable over the network. Write a shell script that lists installed packages over adb, disables a list of ad, telemetry and voice-assistant packages from a text file, and can restore the original state from a snapshot taken before the first run. Keep every change reversible and ask before removing any app.
```

## Story

dumbtv is a set of scripts that run over ADB from another computer to change a television's software. The README says it was tested end to end on a Fire TV Edition TV running Fire OS 7.7.1.7. It disables about 65 packages tied to ad tracking, telemetry, experiments and Alexa, and removes a set of ad-funded streaming apps after the user confirms each one.

A configure script asks, app by app, which apps to keep. A snapshot taken before the first run lets restore.sh put back package state, app permissions, network rules and settings. DNS filtering runs on the TV through personalDNSfilter, and a small launcher replaces the home screen with one that shows only the user's apps and HDMI inputs.

The project is explicit about its limits. It does not replace the operating system, unlock the bootloader or survive a factory reset. The repository also keeps a catalog of which TV models have been tested and which dialogs blocked automation.

## Resources

- [Project repository](https://github.com/humblemuzzu/dumbtv)
- [Launcher README](https://github.com/humblemuzzu/dumbtv/blob/main/launcher/README.md)
- [Latest release](https://github.com/humblemuzzu/dumbtv/releases/latest)
- [personalDNSfilter](https://github.com/IngoZenz/personaldnsfilter)
- [HaGeZi DNS blocklists](https://github.com/hagezi/dns-blocklists)

Tags: adb, fire os, fire tv, debloat, dns filter, shell script, vibe-coded

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